Example Group 2
Syllabus for Group 2
The syllabus outlines the planned group activities. It is subject to change due to weather conditions and may be customized for the individual needs of the participating children.
This social skills program is designed for children with ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities and behavioral issues. The purpose is to enhance social-pragmatic skills through interaction and activities with horses and horse related art projects. The focus is on establishing and improving communicative interactions and play relations among peers. The horses will be used as a tool for emotional growth and learning.
Week 1: Introductions
Setting: Therapy Room/Paddock
Exercise: Introduction game, choose the favorite horse, start the multiple step art project "The Story of Me and My Horse", which will utilize various media and will encompass a variety of self expressive techniques.
Goals:
- Give/ask for information
- Make choices
- Justify your choices
- Listen to your new friends
- Learn about other people and horses
Skills:
- Introduce yourself to the group (name, age, school, one sentence about yourself)
- Choose your favorite horse
- Explain why you choose that horse
- Listen to your new friends
- Ask appropriate questions
Week 2: Working Together
Setting: Therapy Room/Stable
Exercise: Brushing the horses/work on your art project
Goals:
- Making choices
- Take responsibility
- Share items
- Take turns
Skills:
- Choose the horse you want to work with
- Build a team/choose a team leader
- Ask politely for a item
- Accept "no" for an answer
- Take turns/follow instructions
Week 3: Personal Space/Interaction
Setting: Therapy Room/Paddock
Exercise: Approaching/Leading the horses/Working on the art project
Goals:
- Approach peers and horses appropriately
- Respect personal spaces
- Accept peers and horses in your comfort zone
- Understand body language
Skills:
- Approach peers and horses from the front
- Be confident quiet and friendly
- Find the right distance towards your partner
- Be sensible if somebody seems to be uncomfortable
Week 4: Problem Solving
Setting: Therapy Room/Paddock
Exercise: Leading the horses through an obstacle course/Work on the art project
Goals:
- Working towards a goal
- Trying to complete a task by yourself
- Asking for help
- Offering help
- Say "thank you"
Skills:
- Try on your own
- Ask your peers
- Ask politely
- Help if you can
- Ask if your help is welcome
Week 5: Competition
Setting: Therapy Room/Paddock
Exercise: Leading a horses through an obstacle course/Breath work
Goals:
- Stay calm in an competitive situation
- Be focused/try your best
- Show ambition
- Be a good looser/winner
Skills:
- Take a deep breath before you start
- Be in the present/have confidence
- Say I can do it
- Congratulate your peers/accept congratulations without hurting other peoples feelings
Week 6: Trusting Each Other
Setting: Therapy Room/Paddock
Exercise: On horseback: Riding backwards, laying on the horse with a peer as a second side walker/Working on the art project
Goals:
- Trust the horses, instructors and peers
- Find your position in space
- Get empowered through the power of the horses
- Overcome your fears
- Be proud of yourself
Skills:
- Close your eyes and let go
- Talk about your fears
- Talk about your accomplishments
Week 7: Teamwork (we know each other better now)/Letting Off Steam
Setting: Therapy Room/Stable
Exercise: Painting on real horses/Working on the art project/Breath work
Goals:
- Work as a group towards a goal
- Be an active member off the group
- Respect other peoples feelings
- Use self regulation techniques to calm yourself down
Skills:
- Plan a work in a group situation
- Accomplish your part of the work
- Stay on your spot, do not criticize others
- Use your new skills-do not fight
Week 8: Showing Off
Setting: Therapy Room/Paddock
Exercise: Exhibit your art piece in front of the parents/Our little horseshow
Goals:
- Speak confidently in front of a group
- Be proud of your accomplishments
- Don't be afraid to be the center of attention
- Don't be jealous of your pears
Skills:
- Have a loud voice/establish eye contact
- Do not be embarrassed
- Cheer for your new friends
- Stay calm and say "thank you"